COUNCILLORS in Coventry and Warwickshire are preparing to take on major responsibilities for making the region healthier and happier.

They have welcomed government moves to pass responsibility for public health from NHS trusts – set to be abolished – to local authorities.

Coventry City Council will have a small slice of a £4bn national budget to tackle health inequalities between well-off and poor areas, smoking and drinking, diet and exercise, and growing obesity, with about one in five city children classed as obese.

The government’s public health white paper announced on Tuesday by Conservative health secretary Andrew Lansley presents challenges and opportunities, says Labour councillor Jim O’Boyle, Coventry’s cabinet member for community services.

Coalition ministers, opposed to what they call “big government”, want people to take responsibility for their own lifestyles, and avoid the “nanny state” pandering too much to us.

But the new £4bn public health budget indicates they accept a role for the state in trying to prevent disease and health problems which end up costing taxpayers more.

Despite the government’s aim of “empowering local communities”, part of the money will go to a new national body, Public Health England. Its full role is so far unclear.

Funds will also pay for research into how best to persuade people to take better care.

Government ideas mooted include brown paper packaging on cigarettes, and shop signs encouraging people to buy fruit.

Councillor O’Boyle said: “The white paper is big on rhetoric, but we are going to have to wait until next year for more detail on how this vision will be turned into reality.

“There are a lot of gaps, and announcements on how Public Health England will tackle obesity, alcohol and tobacco control, to name but a few, will not be made until 2011.”

He is concerned there will be less money overall for public health, as with adult social services.

Chancellor George Osborne announced in October £2bn extra nationally ringfenced for care for the elderly and disabled.

But Coun O’Boyle, and Warwickshire County Council’s Tory leaders, say there will be real terms cuts overall in spending on care from 28 per cent government cuts to councils’ funding over four years.

The white paper also announced a new “health premium” could reward disadvantaged areas for progress on tackling health inequalities, which Coun O’Boyle described as a “tough ask”.

He added there were “opportunities” for Coventry, “if we are given the right tools to do the job.”